Best 8 Books I Read in 2016

As an avid reader, I was somewhat disappointed with my lack of reading this year. With almost a million commitments, work and a social life, it’s really hard to squeeze in those precious hours in a lounge with a cup of tea, immersed in a new world. With that being said, I did find some time to do reading and with it came many tears, frustrated sighs and hurling of books across the room.

Without further ado, here are the best eight books I read in 2016 in no particular order (which may or not have been published in 2016).

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

“Once a thing is set to happen, all you can do is hope it won’t. Or will-depending. As long as you live, there’s always something waiting, and even if it’s bad, and you know it’s bad, what can you do? You can’t stop living.”

This tiny tale was the required reading for my creative writing subject this year and I am so glad it was. It masterfully blends journalism and creative non-fiction to produce a haunting and fascinating read on the murders of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas. Honestly, despite being so small, it was a heavy read. You thought, you questioned, you discovered. As a reconstruction of the events, Capote’s extensive research and skill with words gives an insight into the harrows of violence and the fragility of life.

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

“Aelin had promised herself, months and months ago, that she would not pretend to be anything but what she was. She had crawled through darkness and blood and despair-she had survived.”

As the fifth installment, this book is fiery with the character development, plot points and writing. Aelin, our fire breathing bitch queen, surprised us all with her determination and self-sacifrice to ensure Terrasen is safe and in capable hands. While steamy with romance, it was the badass moments in this novel that sucked me in and have further defined the characters: Manon and her defiance against all she had believed in, Lysandra and her strength, Elide and her determination and selflessness despite her injury, and of course, Aelin. Overall, strong female leads, a strong fifth installment.

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

“You wanted to feel alive, right? It doesn’t matter if you’re monster or human. Living hurts.”

Dystopian world, monsters big and small, two main characters who will snatch your heart and make it ache. Just for some background, V-City is divided in two and swarming with monsters big and small. Kate Harker is the daughter of the crime lord who runs the North, and August Flynn is the son of the rebels in the South. As per usual, these two characters find each other tangled in a race to find out how to save their city and themselves. But this one was different –